Chemical abundances of magnetic and non-magnetic Herbig Ae/Be stars (original) (raw)

TheKeplerview of magnetic chemically peculiar stars

Astronomy and Astrophysics, 2018

Context. Magnetic chemically peculiar (mCP) stars exhibit complex atmospheres that allow the investigation of such diverse phenomena as atomic diffusion, magnetic fields, and stellar rotation. The advent of space-based photometry provides the opportunity for the first precise characterizations of the photometric variability properties of these stars, which might advance our understanding of the processes involved and the atmospheric structures of mCP stars. Aims. We carried out a search for new mCP stars in the Kepler field with the ultimate aim of investigating their photometric variability properties using Kepler data. As an aside, we describe criteria for selecting mCP star candidates based on light curve properties, and assess the accuracy of the spectral classifications provided by the MKCLASS code. Methods. As only very few known mCP stars are situated in the Kepler field, we had to depend largely on alternative (nonspectroscopic) means of identifying suitable candidates that rely mostly on light curve properties; in particular we relied on monoperiodic variability and light curve stability. Newly acquired and archival spectra were used to confirm most of our mCP star candidates. Linear ephemeris parameters and effective amplitudes were derived from detrended Kepler data. Results. Our final sample consists of 41 spectroscopically confirmed mCP stars of which 39 are new discoveries, 5 candidate mCP stars, and 7 stars in which no chemical peculiarities could be established. Our targets populate the whole age range from zero-age main sequence to terminal-age main sequence and are distributed in the mass interval from 1.5 M to 4 M. About 25% of the mCP stars show a hitherto unobserved wealth of detail in their light curves indicative of complex surface structures. We identified light curve stability as a primary criterion for identifying mCP star candidates among early-type stars in large photometric surveys, and prove the reliability of the spectral classifications provided by the MKCLASS code.

Magnetism of Herbig Ae/Be stars

2009

Observations of magnetic fields of stars at the pre-main sequence phase can provide important new insights into the complex physics of the late stages of star formation. This is especially true at intermediate stellar masses, where magnetic fields are strong and globally organised, and therefore most amenable to direct study. Recent circularly-polarised spectroscopic observations of pre-main sequence Herbig Ae/Be stars have revealed the presence of organised magnetic fields in the photospheres of a small fraction of these objects. To date, 9 magnetic HAeBe stars have been detected, and those detections confirmed by repeated observations. The morphology and variability of their Stokes V signatures indicates that their magnetic fields have important dipole components of kG strength, and that the dipole is stable on timescales ofat least years. These magnetic stars exhibit a large range of stellar mass, from about 2-13 solar masses, and diverse rotational properties, with vsini from a ...

A search for photometric variability in magnetic chemically peculiar stars using ASAS-3 data

Astronomy & Astrophysics, 2015

Context. The (magnetic) chemically peculiar (CP) stars of the upper main sequence are well-suited laboratories for investigating the influence of magnetic fields on the stellar surface because they produce abundance inhomogeneities (spots), which results in photometric variability that is explained in terms of the oblique rotator model. CP stars exhibiting this phenomenon are normally classified as α 2 Canum Venaticorum (ACV) variables. It is important to increase the sample of known rotational periods among CP stars by discovering new ACV variables. An increased sample size will contribute to the understanding of the CP stars' evolution in time. Aims. We aim at discovering new ACV variables in the public data of the third phase of the All Sky Automated Survey (ASAS-3). Furthermore, by analysis of the available photometric data, we intend to derive rotational periods of the stars. Methods. The ASAS-3 data were cross-correlated with the Catalogue of Ap, HgMn, and Am stars in order to analyse the light curves of bona fide CP and related stars. The light curves were downloaded and cleaned of outliers and data points with a flag indicating bad quality. Promising candidates showing a larger scatter than observed for constant stars in the corresponding magnitude range were searched for periodic signals using a standard Fourier technique. Objects exhibiting periodic signals well above the noise level were considered and visually inspected, whereas borderline cases were rejected. Results. In total, we found 323 variables, from which 246 are reported here for the first time, and 77 were probably wrongly classified before. The observed variability pattern of most stars is in accordance with an ACV classification. For some cases, it is difficult to distinguish between the light curves of double-waved ACVs and the variability induced by orbital motion (ellipsoidal variables/eclipsing variables), especially for objects exhibiting very small amplitudes and/or significant scatter in their light curves. Thus, some eclipsing or rotating ellipsoidal variables might be present. However, we are confident that the given periods are the correct ones. There seems to be a possible weak correlation between the rotational period and colour, in the sense that cooler magnetic CP stars rotate more slowly. However, this correlation seems to disappear when correcting for the interstellar reddening. Conclusions. The next steps have to include a compilation of all available rotational periods from the literature and a detailed investigation of the astrophysical parameters of these stars. This includes a determination of the individual masses, luminosities, ages, and inclination angles. However, this information cannot be straightforwardly determined from photometric data alone.

On the formation and evolution of magnetic chemically peculiar stars in the solar neighborhood

Astronomy and Astrophysics, 2005

In order to put strict observational constraints on the evolutionary status of the magnetic chemically peculiar stars (CP2) of the upper main sequence, we have investigated a well established sample of galactic field CP2 objects within a radius of 200 pc from the Sun in the (X,Y) plane. In total, 182 stars with accurate parallax measurements from the Hipparcos satellite were divided into Si, SiCr and SrCrEu subgroups based on classification resolution data from the literature. Primarily, it was investigated if the CP2 phenomenon occurs at very early stages of the stellar evolution, significantly before these stars reach 30 % of their life-time on the main sequence. This result is especially important for theories dealing with stellar dynamos, angular momentum loss during the pre-as well as main sequence and stellar evolutionary codes for CP2 stars. For the calibration of the chosen sample, the well-developed framework of the Geneva 7-color and Strömgren uvbyβ photometric system was used. We are able to show that the CP2 phenomenon occurs continuously at the zero age main sequence for masses between 1.5 and 4.5 M ⊙ . The magnetic field strengths do not vary significantly during the evolution towards the terminal age main sequence. Only the effective temperature and magnetic field strength seem to determine the kind of peculiarity for those stars. We found several effects during the evolution of CP2 stars at the main sequence, i.e. there are two "critical" temperatures where severe changes take place. There is a transition between Si, SiCr and SrCrEu stars at 10000 K whereas a significant decrease to almost zero of evolved SrCrEu objects with masses below 2.25 M ⊙ at 8000 K occurs. These conclusions have to be incorporated into models that simulate the stellar formation and evolution of stars between 1.5 and 4.5 M ⊙ in the presence of strong magnetic fields.

Photometric/spectroscopic analyses and magnetic activity in young late-type stars

We present preliminary results of a study in progress based on photometric and spectroscopic observations of young weak-line T Tauri and post-T Tauri stars just arriving on the Zero Age Main Sequence. The study is part of a project based on high-resolution spectra obtained with FOCES@CAHA (Spain) and SARG@TNG (Spain) and contemporaneous photometry performed at Catania (Italy) and TUBITAK (Turkey) observatories. The main aim is to investigate the topology of magnetic active regions at photospheric and chromospheric levels in young single stars. Since our targets are slow rotators, with rotation periods longer than about 2 days, we are able to apply the spectroscopic technique based on line-depth ratio for the measure of the photospheric temperature modulation. These stars, possible members of Stellar Kinematic Groups, display emission cores in the CaII H&K and IRT lines, as well as a conspicuous filling-in of the Hα core. Moreover, we derive lithium abundance, and measure rotational and radial velocities. In several cases we detect a clear rotational modulation of brightness. In this work we briefly mention some preliminary results obtained for SAO 51891. We have also developed a spot/plage model to be applied to the data deriving the spot parameters (filling factor and temperature) and recovering information about the chromospheric inhomogeneities (flux contrast and filling factor). This study will contribute to explore the correlations between global stellar parameters and spot/plage characteristics in stars with different activity level and evolutionary stage.

Characterization of the magnetic field of the Herbig Be star HD 200775★

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 2008

The origin of the magnetic fields observed in some intermediate mass and high mass main sequence stars is still a matter of vigorous debate. The favoured hypothesis is a fossil field origin, in which the observed fields are the condensed remnants of magnetic fields present in the original molecular cloud from which the stars formed. According to this theory a few percent of the PMS Herbig Ae/Be star should be magnetic with a magnetic topology similar to that of main sequence intermediate-mass stars.

The magnetic field of the pre-main sequence Herbig Ae star HD 190073

Astronomy and Astrophysics, 2007

Context. The general context of this paper is the study of magnetic fields in the pre-main sequence intermediate mass Herbig Ae/Be stars. Magnetic fields are likely to play an important role in pre-main sequence evolution at these masses, in particular in controlling the gains and losses of stellar angular momentum. Aims. The particular aim of this paper is to announce the detection of a structured magnetic field in the Herbig Ae star HD 190073, and to discuss various scenarii for the geometry of the star, its environment and its magnetic field. Methods. We have used the ESPaDOnS spectropolarimeter at CFHT in 2005 and 2006 to obtain high-resolution, high signal-to-noise circular polarization spectra which demonstrate unambiguously the presence of a magnetic field in the photosphere of this star. Results. Nine circular polarization spectra were obtained, each one showing a clear Zeeman signature. This signature is suggestive of a magnetic field structured on large scales. The signature, which corresponds to a longitudinal magnetic field of 74 ± 10 G, does not vary detectably on a one-year timeframe, indicating either an azimuthally symmetric field, a zero inclination angle between the rotation axis and the line of sight, or a very long rotation period. The optical spectrum of HD 190073 exhibits a large number of emission lines. We discuss the formation of these emission lines in the framework of a model involving a turbulent heated region at the base of the stellar wind, possibly powered by magnetic accretion.

The magnetic field topology and chemical abundance distributions of the Ap star HD 32633

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society

Previous observations of the Ap star HD 32633 indicated that its magnetic field was unusually complex in nature and could not be characterized by a simple dipolar structure. Here we derive magnetic field maps and chemical abundance distributions for this star using full Stokes vector (Stokes IQUV) high-resolution observations obtained with the ESPaDOnS and Narval spectropolarimeters. Our maps, produced using the INVERS10 magnetic Doppler imaging (MDI) code, show that HD 32633 has a strong magnetic field which features two large regions of opposite polarity but deviates significantly from a pure dipole field. We use a spherical harmonic expansion to characterize the magnetic field and find that the harmonic energy is predominately in the = 1 and 2 poloidal modes with a small toroidal component. At the same time, we demonstrate that the observed Stokes parameter profiles of HD 32633 cannot be fully described by either a dipolar or dipolar plus quadrupolar field geometry. We compare the magnetic field topology of HD 32633 with other early-type stars for which MDI analyses have been performed, supporting a trend of increasing field complexity with stellar mass. We then compare the magnetic field topology of HD 32633 with derived chemical abundance maps for the elements Mg, Si, Ti, Cr, Fe, Ni and Nd. We find that the iron-peak elements show similar distributions, but we are unable to find a clear correlation between the location of local chemical enhancements or depletions and the magnetic field structure.